Finding Reliable Websites
How do you know what information online is trustworthy? Do what fact checkers do, and use Lateral Reading.
When you come across an unfamiliar online source:
Open a new tab in your browser.
Search the name of the unfamiliar source.
Check what trustworthy sites say about it.
If the source seems untrustworthy, don't waste your time on it. Find a better source.
from Lateral Reading Poster developed by Civic Online Reasoning & Stanford History Education Group
Using Websites
It is important to evaluate all information you encounter, but it is especially important to be critical of the information you find on the web. Does it pass the CRAAP test?
Currency: Is the site up-to-date and edited regularly?
Relevancy: Who is the intended audience for this information and is the information unique?
Authority: Who is the author and what are his or her credentials? Is there contact information? Is it a company, organization, or university?
Accuracy: Where does this information come from? Are there sources listed? Are there typos or spelling or grammar errors?
Purpose: Why was this site created? Is it intending to sell a product? What is the domain name (.edu, .gov, .com, .org)?
- CRAAP TestDownload a PDF of this guide to use in your online research
Websites
- American Astronomical Society (AAS)The major organization of professional astronomors in North America. Access loads of astronomy-related resources such as: news, full-text scholarly journal articles (found under "Publishing"), free online courses, careers, and educational information.
- Science Research Guides (Science and Business Reading Room)From the Library of Congress (LoC), information about science. including astronomy, math, and physics.
- National Science Foundation: Astronomical SciencesNews and information about NSF-funded astronomy projects and research.
- Astronomy MagazinePrint and online magazine of the Astronomy Foundation, users can freely access news articles, astronomer's blogs, astronomy equipment information (telescopes!) and how to guides along with multimedia such as images, podcasts and videos.
- Cosmic Journey: A History of Scientific CosmologyA history of cosmology, cosmological theory, and astronomical instruments from the American Institute of Physics
- Crash Course AstronomyShort videos (less than 15 minutes) explaining all of the big concepts and ideas in astronomy, from PBS.
- Gazetteer of Planetary NomenclatureDetailed information about all names of topographic and albedo features on planets and satellites (and some planetary ring and ring-gap systems) that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named and approved from its founding in 1919 through the present time.
- Nine PlanetsGreat overview of the solar system.
- Sky & Telescope MagazineIncludes a comprehensive list of resources, including astronomical websites, professional and amateur research, online star charts, online data and catalogs, other magazines and journals, astronomy education, images and animations.
- Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS)Access multicolor images, 3D maps and spectra from mapping work of over one quarter of the sky.
- SpaceRefReposts space and related industry news stories (from a variety of reputable sources), press releases, and mission status updates with associated images/video. In addition, users can access older news stories back into the late 1990s.
NASA Websites
NASA has a great deal of information on their website, but it can be a lot to sort through. Here are some of our favorite NASA links:
- NASA STEM EngagementsInternships, fellowships, and scholarships. Check out this website for the different types of opportunities offered, some virtual and some on-site. All sound amazing!
- NASA STEM for Higher Education StudentsAccess NASA television, video podcasts, NASA e-clips, image galleries, and information and opportunities about NASA's education programs.
- NSSDCA Planetary Science LibraryNASA lunar and planetary science data. Users can access by planet: data fact sheets; past, current and future missions; image galleries; and frequently asked questions (by planet). From the National Space Science Data Center.
- Solar System ExplorationFind information on the background, goals, and accomplishments from past, present, and future exploratory space missions. The site includes text, images, video, interactive features, and educational resources.
Image Credit
NASA logo by National Aeronautics and Space Administration via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)
